Pope Francis denounced "demagogic forms of populism" as unhelpful to peace Friday and called for funding and arming those who provoke violence to stop, in a speech to a Muslim-Christian conference in Egypt.
"It is disconcerting to note that, as the concrete realities of people's lives are increasingly ignored in favour of obscure machinations, demagogic forms of populism are on the rise," said Francis, who is on a 27-hour visit to Egypt.
It is "essential," he added, to block "the flow of money and weapons destined to those who provoke violence".